Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: The Duke’s Visitor

Although Cassiel had only awakened briefly, news of it had already reached the palace.

The royal family possessed countless eyes and ears.

If something happened within Draevenor Manor, the King would know before the day was over.

It was hardly surprising that Vaelen had been sent to inquire about his well-being.

"Has His Highness been received in the front hall?" Elysia asked.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Elysia nodded.

Then she turned toward Miriam.

"Let’s finish dressing."

Miriam hesitated.

Everyone in the manor knew about Elysia’s former attachment to the Crown Prince.

The maid lowered her voice.

"Your Grace... perhaps you shouldn’t wear lip color today."

Elysia blinked.

"Why?"

Miriam fidgeted.

"If you look too beautiful, people might think you’re dressing up for His Highness."

For a moment, Elysia simply stared at her.

Then she laughed.

"Silly girl."

Miriam looked confused.

Elysia set down the hairpin she was holding.

"If I deliberately avoid dressing well because Vaelen is coming, I’m still changing myself because of him."

She smiled faintly.

"That would mean he still matters."

Miriam paused.

That actually made sense.

"We owe His Highness nothing."

Elysia rose from her seat.

"So we’ll dress exactly as we always do."

Her eyes curved slightly.

"And we’ll do it beautifully."

Miriam immediately brightened.

"Yes, Your Grace!"

Half an hour later, Elysia entered the front hall.

Vaelen had clearly been waiting for some time.

The tea beside him had already gone cold.

At the sound of footsteps, he looked up.

And froze.

Elysia wore a gown of deep crimson silk.

The cut was elegant rather than extravagant.

Her dark hair had been swept into a neat coiled style, revealing the graceful line of her neck.

She wore only a few carefully chosen ornaments.

Nothing excessive.

Nothing ostentatious.

Yet somehow she looked more radiant than ever.

For a brief moment, Vaelen forgot what he intended to say.

Then irritation quickly followed.

A mocking smile appeared.

"So,"

His gaze swept over her deliberately.

"Married to my uncle, yet still playing these childish games."

Elysia raised an eyebrow.

"What games?"

"You knew I was coming."

His smile deepened.

"And you dressed like this. Are you trying to make Draevenor Manor a laughingstock?"

The implication hung heavily in the air.

Elysia stared at him for several seconds.

Then realization dawned.

Her expression immediately became complicated.

Almost pitying.

"You think I dressed for you, don’t you?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Her voice remained calm.

"But that answer explains quite a lot."

Vaelen frowned.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Elysia folded her hands neatly before her.

"It means I finally understand why Her Majesty is so eager to find you a wife."

The servants immediately lowered their heads.

Vaelen’s expression darkened.

"Excuse me?"

"You are severely lacking in manners."

The Crown Prince stared at her.

No one had ever spoken to him like that.

Certainly not Elysia.

"I am the Duchess of Draevenor."

Her tone remained perfectly composed.

"I represent this household."

She glanced down at her gown.

"I dress appropriately because I respect my position."

Then she met his eyes.

"The fact that you immediately assumed this was about you says far more about you than it does about me."

Vaelen felt strangely as though he were being scolded by an elder.

Despite the fact that she was younger.

His jaw tightened.

Before he could respond, Elysia continued smoothly.

"Now then."

She changed the subject entirely.

"Your uncle briefly regained consciousness."

Vaelen forced himself to focus.

"And you’re certain?"

"Of course I’m certain."

She answered without hesitation.

"After all, we share a bed."

The room fell silent.

Vaelen froze.

For the first time since she’d entered, genuine surprise crossed his face.

"You what?"

Elysia looked puzzled.

"We share a bed."

"You sleep beside him?"

"Yes."

"Even while he’s unconscious?"

This time Elysia looked genuinely confused.

"He is my husband. Why wouldn’t I?"

Vaelen stared.

Something about her answer bothered him.

Yet after a moment, he convinced himself it was another performance.

A bluff.

It had to be.

The Elysia he knew could never willingly share a bed with another man.

Not when she had spent years loving him.

Satisfied with his own conclusion, he relaxed slightly.

"I want to see him."

Elysia frowned.

"His health is still fragile."

"I was sent by His Majesty."

His tone sharpened.

"If you prevent me from seeing him, are you planning to defy the King’s orders?"

The accusation was deliberate.

Elysia immediately recognized it.

After a brief silence, she sighed.

"If it is His Majesty’s wish, then naturally you may visit."

As they crossed the courtyard toward Cassiel’s chambers, Vaelen’s eyes landed on something unexpected.

A vanity.

A smaller bed.

Tucked neatly into the adjoining room.

He stopped walking.

Elysia followed his gaze.

Immediately, she understood.

Those items had been moved there on their wedding night.

She simply hadn’t bothered removing them.

Before she could explain, Vaelen let out a cold laugh.

"So that’s how it is."

Elysia blinked.

"What?"

His eyes glittered with satisfaction.

"You can deceive others if you wish."

His gaze swept toward the side bed.

"But don’t deceive yourself."

Realizing his misunderstanding, Elysia spoke quickly.

"I’ve never slept there."

Unfortunately, that only made things worse.

Vaelen looked entirely unconvinced.

"Since you’ve married my uncle, then live properly as his wife."

His voice carried unmistakable contempt.

"I refused to marry you before."

His gaze sharpened.

"And I certainly wouldn’t marry you now."

Elysia’s expression flattened.

She had absolutely no idea how he had arrived at this conclusion.

But Vaelen wasn’t finished.

"Whether you share his bed or not, whether you remain untouched or not, it changes nothing."

His voice grew colder.

"You belong to him now."

The words echoed through the corridor.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, speaking them aloud brought him a strange sense of satisfaction.

Because despite everything...

He still believed Elysia cared.

Still believed she was saving herself for him.

Still believed all of this somehow revolved around him.

And that belief comforted him far more than it should have.

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